Apparatus for manufacture of expanded metal



F. C. AREY.

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURE OF EXPANDED METAL.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT43,19ZO- Patented Apr. 11, 1922.

F. C. AREY. APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURE OF EXPANDED METAL.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3. I920.

Patented Apr. 11, 1922.

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APPARATUS FOR-MANUFACTURE 0F EXPANDED METAL. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. a. 1920.

PatenteiApr. 11, 1922.

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APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3. 1920- Patented Apr. 11, 1922.

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Fred 6' S XPANDED METAL- A Patented Apr. 11, 1922.

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- F. c. AREY. APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURE OF EXPANDED METAL,

Pafented Apr. 11 22.

6 sneer APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3, 1920.

umrso sTATEs PATENT OFEIECE- FRED C. AREY, 01 OAK PARK, ILLINOIS.

arram'rus ron. MANUFACTURE or nxrammi) METAL.

Application filed September 3, 1920f Serial No. 407,918.

1 To all whom it may concewt':

'-Be it known that I, FRED C. AREY,a citizen'of the United States, and a resident of the village of Oak Park, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful-Improvements in an .Apparatus for Manufacture of Expanded Metal; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the'numerals of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for the manufacture of expanded metal lath and other articles, more particularly by expanding the metal in a direction perpendicular to one of the edges ofthe sheet as distinguished from those processeswherein the metal "is expanded diagonally to one side of the sheet.-

It is an object of the invention to provide a simple, readily operated machine" forexpanding metal sheets.

It is also an object of the invention to pro- Figure l is a front elevation, with parts broken away, of a machine embodying the features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an end viewof the same. Figure 3 is a section on the line 3 i3 jof- Fi ure 1. j

'gure 41s a plan'view of one ofthe inem I bers' which 'm'ipports the strip whilst it is being expanded. 1

ure 4.

Figure 5 is 'a view toIQFi gure 4 with parts removed. I

Figure 6 is arsection on' the line .6-6' of wiew of the cutter bars of the frame in which they igure 7 is an end and a portion are arranged. Figure 8 is asection'on the line 88 of Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Ap 2 showing the parts during the cutting opera-- tion.

Figure 10 is a view showing the parts in the position theyassume when the strip is cut off. I

Figure 11 is an enlarged view of the ends of some of the cutters and thesupport with which they co-operateto form the rneshes in the sheet.

Figure 12 is a detail view of the partof the cutting-off mechanism.v

. Figure 13 is a detail view showin one part of the mechanism for operating the sheet support.

'- As shown on the drawings:

The apparatus illustrated is adapted to expand the metal in a direction-parallel to the edges ofthe sheet operated on so that in the operation of forming the mesh the metal is stretched so'as to give an expanded. sheet of the same length but greater width than the original sheet. The cutting ofthe meshes in the sheet is brought about by a series of cutter bars 1, each having the same crosssection as the meshes in the sheet mounted on a vertically reciprocating frame2. For this purpose the frame 2 is provided with arecess 3 along the upper and lower edges of which are arranged bars 4 and 5, respec tively, having notched surfaces to receive the longitudinal edges of the cutter bars, as shown more particularly in Figure '7 Clamp screws 6 forcethe bar 5 firmly against the cutter bars so as to hold them in position. The ends .of each cutter bar are formed so that when clamped in position onthe' frame 2, its end faceis substantially vertical and .its lower edges overhang the upper edges of r Consethe bar immediately below" 'it. quently, as each row of'cutters descends onto the plate a fresh strip of metal is engaged eash time to form one half of a new series of meshes andto complete the series of meshes begun by the previous row of cutters! By providing separate cutter bars the grinding of the cutting edges is facilitated and the bars may be used until they become too short to be held in place between the bars 4 and 5. Further, as the bars are detachable they may be replacedby largeror smaller bars to produce larger or smaller meshes 1n the expanded'metal. It is necessary to support the metal immediately behind the cutter'bars as the latter move into contact therethe clamp 27 to grip the metallic stri with in order to obtain the desired shearing action. For this purpose a support 9 is provided having a hardened steel strip 10 along its upper margin which coacts with the cutter bars in their shearing action. An apron strip 68 is also attached to the upper edge of the support 9 to guide the completed expanded metal. Means are provided whereby this support 9 is withdrawn diagonally away from the cutter so as to move the edge of the strip 10 directly rearwardly the horizontal distance between successive rows of cutter bars as each row of cutter bars moves into the position previously occupied by the other set.

The strip is further supported by a table 8 arranged to move vertically downwards at the same rate as the support 9 so that the strip is always maintained in horizontal position. Further, means are provided for clamping the strip to the table during the cutting operation, these means being released during the upward movement of the reciprocating frame2 to allow the sheet to be fed forward for the formation of a further series of meshes therein. I

The various parts of the apparatus are mounted on a main frame 52 on top of which is journalled the main driving shaft 11, having mounted thereon fast and loose pulleys 12 and 13. At the other end of the shaft 11 is a gear 1 1 in mesh with a gear 15 on a shaft 16. The gears 14 and 15 provide the desired speed reduction to enable the desired shearing force to be obtained. 0n this shaft 16 are arranged a pair of eccentrics 17 provided with eccentric straps 18 connected at 19 to each end of the reciprocating frame 2. Suitable guiding means are provided on the frame of the apparatus for insuring linear, vertical movement of the frame 2. The

table 8 is moved up and down at aslower rate than but synchronously with the slide 2 by means of eccentrics 20 on a shaft 21 connected to and driven from the shaft 16 by means of gear wheels 22 and 23. A strap 24; surrounding the eccentric 20 is connected at 25 to sliding block 26 secured to the table 8. As it is desirable to clamp the sheet to the table 8 during the cut-ting operation, particularly since the metal is not only slot,- ted but also stretched, a clamp 27 is pro vided pivotally mounted at its ends on the block 26 by pins 28. clamp about its pivots 28 is brought about by means of a bell crank 29, one arm'of which is provided with a slot in which a pin 30 engages, while the other arm is provided with a roller which operates in a cam groove 31 in the face of a disk secured to the shaft 21. As the shafts 16 and 21 rotate in the direction of the arrows shown in Figure 3, it will be seen that the camgroove 31 causes or sheet during the downward movement 0 the Oscillation of the frame 2 and to release the sheet during the upward movement of the frame so that? the ployed to suit sheets of various thickness.

The support 9 is carried by a frame 5 1 resting at its ends on blocks 55 through the intermediary of wedges 56 provided with downwardly turned apertured ends 57 for the passage of a threaded stud 58. By adjusting nuts 59 and 60 on this stud 58, the position of the wedge and thereby the height of the frame 54 may be adjusted as desired. Horizontal movement of the frame 54: is prevented by tightening the nuts 61, after adjusting the wedges 56 to attain the desired height.

On its upper SldG' the frame 54 is pro surface 62 The latter vided with an oblique bearing on which. the support 9 rests. is held in slidin engagement surface by means of a plate 63 secured to the lower edge of the frame 5 1 by bolts 64.

with such The support 9 is free to slide transversely but not longitudinally with respect to the frame 5 1.

- Transverse movement of the support 9 is controlled by means of a channelled bar 32 slidably arranged within a channel in the upper surface of the frame 54. This sliding -Inember is provided with stepped cam blocks 33 and 34, while on the support 9 are arranged cam blocks 35 adapted to extend between the cams 33 and 34 so that by moving the bar 32 longitudinally to and .fro the support 9 is moved obliquely to and fro transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the bar 32. These cam surfaces are formed in a series of steps each of such height that the edge 10 of the member 9 is retracted horizontally the exact dis tance between the cutting edges of adjacent rows of cutters so that for all the rows of cutters the desired shearingaction is obtained. Each of these cams 33 and 341 is provided with means for adjusting its position longitudinally on the bar 32, such as a stud 65 passing through an aperture in a lug 66 attached to the bar 32 and held i in adjusted position relatively thereto by nuts 67 The cams 33, 3 1- and 35 are all detachable so that they may be replaced b others with different contour to suit di ferent sized cutters. A longitudinal move ment of the member 32 is'provided by means of a bell crank rocker 70, the end 36 of one arm of which extends between a pair of lu s re c iprocating frame' 2, while the end of the other arm 38 of the bell crank is adapted 37 secured to the end of the vertically to engage one or other of two stops 39 and 40 adjustabl. mounted on the end of the bar 32. Wit this arrangement the frame 2, table 8 and support 9- move synchronously with respect te'each other, so that the parts are always in cutting and supporting position. As shown in Figure 13, a certain amount of play'is allowed between the 'end 38 of the bell crank 70 and the stops 38 and 39 to allow thesupport 9 to hesitate at 'start'of u "ward movement of frame 2, so that bar ened steel strip 10 will not drag on cutter bars 1, as frame 2 travels upward 'v' clearance for meshes formed kiiniio by prece wnward movement, an also hesitateat start ,of downward movement of frame 2, to bring hardened steel strip 10, as shown in Figure 8, in position to coactwith the cutter bars 1, as downward movement of frame 2 continues. The diagonal rearward and downward movement of the support 9, prevents the upper row of cutters engaging the edge of the strip 10, as their ends are in the same vertical plane as the preceding,

or next lower row,'until it is desired to'sever the sheet.

. When desired the action of'the foot' on pedal 41 (Figure 1.) produces a ull upon the cord 42 attached at 43 to the ell crank 44 pivotally secured to the frame 52 at 45.1 A spring 46 normall holds the bell crank with its arm 44 as s own in Figure12.

; I The other arm 47 of the bell crank is conin Figure '10',

nected at 48 to a bar 49 which is connected by means of studs '50 to blocks 51.

Pressure on pedal 41 moves blocks 51 in.

position under camblocks 35 thereby holdng support 9 against further rearward and downward movement and keeping the edge of strip 10 in the vertical plane of the edge of the two upper rows of cutters as shown" to completely sever the sheet. The operation is as follows:

' A sheet of metal 7 is placed on the table" 8 and pushed forward asfar as it will go. Themachine is then set in operation whereupon the frame 2 descends. Simultaneously the cam 31, through the bell crank 29 and pin 30, forces the clamping, member 27 downwards-t0 firmly grip the plate.

As the firstrow of cutters reaches the ,plate they, in conjunction with the edge-10 of the support 9, by a shearing action slit the metal and simultaneously stretch the metal so separated from the body of the metal mtothe form of half a single mesh. When this has been accomplished the cams- 33, 34 and 35 retract the support 9 so that it is in position'to givethe desired'shear-' ing support to the next' row of, cutters. This movement is brought about by the downward movement of 'the frame, 2,

through the bell-crank 7 0 and sliding bar 32.,

The next set of'c'u'tters' form slits staggered withrespect to the firstset of slits so that these cutters complete thetformatio'n of the meshes half made by the first setiand also produce a new row of half meshes. The

the pedal 41 is depressed thereby prevent-1 ing retraction-of the support 9 when the last set of cutters isreached so that both the last and the next to the last row of cutters come into operation completely severing the sheet.

I am'aware that numerous details of con--- struction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principlesofthis invention, and I, therefore, do

not purpose limiting the patent granted otherwise than necessitated by the Prior art.'

I claim as my invention: a

1. Anexpanded metal machine comprising axvertically reciprocating frame, rows of/diamond-sh'aped cutters on said frame,

each row being offset rearwardly with 'respect to-the row thereabove, means for reciproc'ating-the frame, a table for supportinga sheet of metal horizontally, means for 'recip'rocating said table in unison with the frame, means for supporting the portion of the sheet of metal in engagement with the cutters, and means for retracting such supporting means ste by step as each row of cutters reaches suc supporting means. '2. An expanded metal machine comprising avertieally reciprocating frame and a series of rows of cutter bars detachably secured thereto in a downwardly inclined position, the operative ends .of each cutter bar lying ina substantially vertical plane.

3. An expanded metal machine'comprising a vertically reciprocating frame, a series of cutters on said frame, each cutter being ofiset rearwardly with respect to the cutter thereabove, means for supporting the portion of the sheet ofmetal in engagement 3 with the-cutters, and means for retracting such supporting means step by step as each .cutter reaches such supporting means.

4. An expanded metal machine-compris- .ing a vertically reciprocating frame,"a series of rows of cutters on the frame, each .row being offset rearwardly'with respect to the cutter thereabove except the last'row, means for supporting the portion of the sheet of metal in engagement with the cutters, means for retracting such supporting means step by step as each cutter reaches such supporting means, and means operable at will for preventing such retraction as the last row of cutters is reached to completely sever the sheet. 7

5. An expanded metal machine comprising a Vertically reciprocating frame, a series of rows of cutters on the frame, each row being ofiset rearwardly with respect to the row thereabove, means for supporting the portion of the sheet of metal in engagement withthe cutters, means for retracting such supporting means step by step as downward movement of the frame brings. each row of cutters into contact with the sheet, means ing a vertically reciprocating frame, a series of rows of cutters on the frame, a sheet support, a horizontal member reciprocated longitudinally and synchronously with the frame, and cam portions on the support and said member whereby reciprocation of the said member produces transverse oblique reciprocation of the support towards and away from the path of said frame.

8. In an expanded metal machine, a series of cutters, each having its cutting edge at a distance from that of its neighbor, a work support for cooperating with each of said cutters in turn, and means for moving said support from the position in which it cooperates with one cutter to the position in which it cooperates with the next cutter and so on step by step throughout the series.

9. In an expanded metal machine means including a reciprocating tool for forming a sheet of metal into expanded metal and manually controlled means operating at the end of the working stroke of said tool for severing the expanded metal from the unexpanded sheet.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRED G. AREY.

Witnesses:

CARLTON HILL, EARL M. HARDINE. 

